National Hurricane Center: Newton is now a hurricane

MIAMI – The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Newton has strengthened into a hurricane.

Newton formed off Mexico’s Pacific coast and is headed toward Baja California.

Newton was located about 215 miles (350 km) southeast of Cabo San Lucas Monday evening. The storm was moving northwest at 16 mph (26 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph).

Forecasters expect Newton to continue moving in the same general direction with an increase in forward speed into Tuesday. The center of Newton is expected to be near or over the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula Tuesday morning, by which time it could be near hurricane intensity.

The government of Mexico has issued a Hurricane Warning for the west coast of the Baja California Sur from north of Puerto Cortes to Cabo San Lazaro.

Coastal portions of five Mexican states could see 5 to 10 inches of rain, with isolated maximums of 15 inches.